Nephrotic syndrome associated with renal amyloidosis in a colony of Syrian hamsters

A 6% incidence of nephrotic syndrome was noted in a colony of 400 Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) over a period of 2 years. Clinical findings consisted of severe ascites and anasarca, anorexia, cachexia, and papular dermatitis. Serum and urine chemical analysis revealed proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia in all animals tested; hypoproteinemia and high concentrations of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine were detected in some of the affected hamsters. Demodex aurati was detected in skin scrapings from 4 of 8 hamsters. Necropsy findings included subcutaneous edema, ascites, and hydrothorax, as well as atrophic kidneys and testes. Extensive deposits of type AA amyloid were detected histologically in kidney, liver, spleen, and adrenal gland; smaller deposits were found in thyroid gland and intestine. Other histologic findings included periodontitis and hyalinization of the small arteries of the testes.